Read the text for the topical vocabulary. Learn the words and expressions in bold type.

Viral infections are caused by viruses. Viral infections are often contagious. The time before the symptoms of a viral infection appear is called the incubation period. They can cause mild to severe illness, at times leading to serious complications or even death.

Respiratory viral infections affect the nose, throat, airways and lungs and are most commonly spread by inhaling droplets containing virus particles. So we say that people get the flu by respiratory route, or droplet contact. Much less common transmission route is by touch.

Most mild viral infections resolve without treatment within a week. Viral infections can be managed effectively with medications and rest. Medications that treat viral infections and vaccines that prevent them improve the immunity of the person to fight against viruses. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics.

Grammar practice with the topical vocabulary.

Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in Task 1.

1) Viruses __________________ viral infections.

2) The throat can ___________________ by respiratory viral infections.

3) Bacterial infections ______________________ to antibiotics.

4) Viral infections can ______________________ on their own. They __________________ effectively with rest.

5) How ________ viral infections usually ______________?

6) Viral infections ___________________________ with antiviral medications.

7) Vaccines can _______________ many viral infections.

8) How _____ the immunity of the person __________________________?

3. Ask questions about the sentences in italics in Task 2.

Read the text and do the tasks below.

Flu vs. Common Cold

Flu is an acute viral infection with an incubation period between 24 hours and 4 days. It affects about 5% to 20% of the population every year. Flu is spread when people breathe in liquid droplets containing the influenza virus that other people sneeze or cough into the air, or when people touch objects contaminated with the virus. The virus can cause infections all year round, but it's most common in the winter. There are many strains, some of which are worse than others, such as swine flu (H1N1 strain) which has a more rapid onset, high fevers and gastrointestinal upset and has already caused many fatalities, even in adults.

Flu can be associated with headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches (myalgia), joint pain (arthralgia), malaise, chills, vomiting and diarrhea (especially in children). They appear quickly, last for about seven days and generally leave you exhausted for weeks afterwards.

Flu is different from common colds. However, it can be hard to tell them apart because they share so many symptoms. In common colds, the symptoms come on gradually, usually affecting only the nose, throat, sinuses and upper chest. When someone has a cold, they usually have stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, cough and watery eyes. They recover fully after about a week after getting plenty of bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and taking vitamins. Flu can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, and can even be fatal.

Certain people are more vulnerable than others to the harm the virus can cause and are advised to have a flu vaccination. They include: everyone over the age of 65; children; people of any age suffering from underlying medical conditions such as asthma (even if it is well controlled by medications), heart disease, pre-existing kidney or liver disease, diabetes or other endocrine disorders, lowered immunity; obese people, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.

 

a) The text contains information about the difference between flu and common cold. Fill in the table using the information from the text. If any information is not available from the text, put “N/A“ (not available).

	Flu	Common cold
Symptoms
Route of transmission
Incubation period
Onset of the disease
Course of the disease
Organs affected
Possible complications
People at risk
Season
Fatalities / why?

b) Answer the questions using information in the text.

1) How many people get the flu every year?

2) How is it spread? (Give 2 answers: using medical terms and using non-medical words.)

3) How long is the period between your exposure to the flu virus and the onset of symptoms?

4) Which is the most common season for the flu?

5) Are all flu strains equally dangerous?

6) What do the flu symptoms include?

7) What type of onset does the flu usually have? Do the symptoms appear rapidly?

8) How do the symptoms come on in common colds? What organs do they affect?

9) How are common colds usually treated?

10) What groups of people are at risk for developing flu-related complications?

 

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